Service attachment for bedsteads



April 2, 1929. c. P. BUFFUM SERVICE ATTACHIENT FOR BEDSTEADS Filed Nov. 16, 1927 172062237- C.B.Buffum Patented Apr. 2, 1929. r i

CLARENCE I. BUIFUM, OF NORTHFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

SERVICE ATTACHMENT FOR BEDSTEADS.

Application filed November 16, 1927. Serial No. 233,716.

This invention relates to a service attachment adapted particularly for use by invalids lying or reclining in bed, the attachment including a table and flexible means for connecting the table with an upright corner post at the head of a bedstead, so that the table may be located in various positions over the 7 bed, to suit the convenience of the occupant.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved service attachment adapted to be quickly, conveniently and securely connected with a corner post at the head of a bedstead, and, support the table element in a wide range of positions relative to the head of an occupant of the bed, the chief elements of the attachment being adapted to be readily assembled for use, and separated, so that they may be stored in compact form.

Of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a service attachment embodying the invention, the table element being inclined.

Figures 2, 3, and 4 show separately the elements of the attachment, excepting the table.

Figure 5 is a top plan view, showing portions of a bedstead, the table element being horizontal.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of Figure 5, showing a square corner post.

Figure 7 is a side view, showing portions of the attachment and a portion of the corner post.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing details hereinafter described.

Figure 9 is a section on line 99 of Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, showing the table inclined.

'Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9, without the bracket member.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the figures.

My improved attachment comprises an angular arm including a body 12, having clamping means engageable with an upright corner post 13, constituting a member of the head portion of a bedstead, and a pintle 14 arranged at an angle with the body. I so organize the clamping means that when the attachment is secured to the post 13, the body 12 may be supported horizontally and in a diagonal position relative to a longitudinal side 15 of the bedstead, as shown by Figure 5, the pintle 14 being vertical.

The preferred embodiment of said clamping means is as next described.

The body 12 is screw-threaded and has a bent extension 16, provided with a single jaw 17, arranged to bear on the inner side of the post- 13. Movable on the body 12 is'an angular member including a neck portion 18 having an aperture 19 (Figure 8) receiving the body 12, and oppositely inclined ears 20, having notchedouter ends 21, constituting a pair of jaws adapted to bear on space apart portions of the outer side of the'post 13, above and below the portion on which the jaw 17 bears. Engaged wit-h the threaded body 12 is a clamping nut 22, adapted to be set up against the neck portion 18, and cause the jaws 17 and 21 to grasp the post 13.

It will be seen by reference toFigures 5 and 6, that the jaws are adapted to grasp either a roundor a square post. The ears 20 prevent any tendency of the arm to swing either downwardly or upwardly from a horizontal position. The diagonal arrangement of the arm body 12, locates the pintle 14 beside the longitudinal side 15, and prevents the arm from projecting over the bed, and interfering in any way with the occupant thereof.

I prefer to provide the neck portion 18 with a key 23, which is slidable in a longitudinal groove 24 in the arm body 12, so that the angular member having the jaws 21 is prevented from turning on the body 12.

An element of the attachment is a jointed bracket shown separately by Figure 3., Said bracket includes an inner section, preferabl composed of parallel rods 26, and sockets 2 and 28, connecting the ends of the rods. The socket 27 is adapted to be separately engaged with the pintle 14 and turn thereon. The bracket includes also an outer section 29, having at one end a downwardly projecting inner pintle 30, adapted to separably engage and turn in the socket 28, and at the opposite end an upwardly projecting pintle 31.

Another element of the attachment is a table 32, having on its under side a downwardly projecting socket 33, separately engaged with and adapted to turn on the intle 31, so that the table may be rotatively a justed on the pintle, and removed therefrom, as indicated by Figure 11.

The socket is preferably hinged to the table to permit the table to swing on a horizontal axis, when the socket is engaged with the pintle 31, so that the table may stand horizonand 10,and in an intermediate position.

ears 34 and socket 33 have coinciding arcuate 1 in one of the cars 34. There may be any desired number of orifices 37, three being shown -:by Figures 9,10, and 11, the arrangementbeing such that the table may be locked in the horizontal position shown by Figure 9, the al ruptly inclined position shown by Figures 1 The outeredges, and the socket has inner edges or edge faces 33, which are oppositely inclined andrare arranged to permit the various positionsof the table, as shown by Figures 9 and 10.

The tablemay be provided with means such asadedge 40, whereby abook may be support-v ed when the table is inclined,

{Thebent extension 16 is preferably of smaller diameter than the threaded body 12,

and the'vopeningsin the angular member neck 18, and the nut 22 are large enough to loosely receive the extension 16, and permit the nut andqangular member to slide thereon to their operative positions relative to the threaded body 12. Y

I claim: V r

1. A service attachment for bedsteads, comprising an angular arm including a body, a bent extension at one endofthebody and a pintle at the opposite end, said extension having a single jaw rranged to bear on an inner side of a bed-post, an angular member including a neck portion.apertured'to receive said body, and oppositely inclinedears having notched outer ends constituting a pair of jaws adapted to bear on spaced apart portions of the outer side of the post above and below the por tion on which the single jaw bears, the arm body being screw-threaded, and a clamping nut engaged with the threaded body and bearing on the neck portion of the angular inemberithe pintle being at an angle with the body and adapted to engage and support a swinging bracket member of the attachment.

2. A service attachment for bedsteads, as specified by claim 1, the threaded body being provided with a longitudinal groove, and the neck portion of the angular member with a key slidable in said groove, whereby rotation of the angular nember on the body is prevented.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

CLARENCE P; BUFFUM. 

